TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2003--Gregory C. Wilkins, 47,
who began his career with Barrick (NYSE:ABX) (TSX:ABX) (LSE:ABX)
(Swiss:ABX) (PARIS:ABX) twenty years ago and has been a Director for
the past 12 years, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer
of the company at today's meeting of its Board of Directors. Mr.
Wilkins replaces Randall Oliphant effective immediately.
The Board made the change to address its concerns over the
company's recent performance and to restore Barrick to the leadership
position in the gold industry it has consistently maintained
throughout much its existence.
Mr. Wilkins is well qualified to assume his new responsibilities.
Having begun his career with Barrick in 1981, he worked closely with
Founder and Chairman Peter Munk and Bob Smith, former President and
Chief Operating Officer, throughout the period that Barrick grew to be
a leader in the gold industry. Mr. Wilkins left his position as Chief
Financial Officer of Barrick in 1993 to become President and Chief
Operating Officer of Horsham Corporation, a publicly listed company
that was then the controlling shareholder of Barrick. Horsham later
became TrizecHahn Corporation and Mr. Wilkins remained as President
and Chief Operating Officer until the planning of its conversion to a
United States Real Estate Investment Trust had been completed and the
company relocated to the United States.
"I am pleased to rejoin Barrick in my new capacity and look
forward to working with former colleagues and the many new members of
the Barrick team who have become integral to its operations," said Mr.
Wilkins. "It is an exciting time in the gold industry and I intend to
refocus the company on the core values which served it so well in the
past."
"The entire Board takes great pleasure in Greg's appointment,"
said Peter Munk, Chairman. "He was a key member of the team, from the
very beginning, that built Barrick and we have total confidence in his
ability to lead the company at what is a very exciting time for gold
producers."
The Board expresses its gratitude to Randall Oliphant for his many
years of dedicated service to Barrick and wishes him every success as
he pursues new opportunities.
The Company will be announcing its fourth quarter results later
today. These will be in line with its forecast. A conference call and
webcast hosted by Peter Munk and Greg Wilkins and joined by John
Carrington and Jamie Sokalsky has been scheduled on Thursday, February
13th at 10 a.m. EST
Barrick is one of the world's leading gold producers traded under
the ticker symbol ABX on the Toronto, New York, London and Swiss Stock
Exchanges and the Paris Bourse.
--30--SH/na*
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Barrick Gold Corporation |
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Vincent Borg, 416/307-7477 |
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Fax: 416/861-1509 |
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media@barrick.com |
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